The failings of incoming leadership

The affect that leaders have when they apologize for what the predecessor did.

As members of the military, we often struggle with giving orders and receiving orders. For the most part the struggle is often based on having to do something that you really don’t want to do because it is unpleasant (washing dishes), time consuming (washing dishes), or a waste of time (washing dishes when the other unit has a dish washer). But we rarely if ever have to struggle with the moral or ethical question of an order. For the most part, Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers have made it to those positions because they have proven to be, not only tactically and technically proficient, but also to have a moral integrity about themselves. This leads to an inherent trust between subordinates and leaders.

When and incoming leadership apologizes for what their predecessor did, it erodes the inherent trust that keeps the military strong, and it initiates the blame game. Take responsibility for your actions, don’t apologize for your predecessors. When a young Soldier, Sailor or Airman hears from his new senior NCO or Officer that his or hers washing the dishes was a waste of time, and that the new senior NCO or Officer is sorry for that, and ensures that they will never have to wash dishes under their watch. That act of befriending the young service member by berating and belittling the previous leadership does two things; It tells the young service member that all orders can be questioned, and that the organization is broke.

In a previous blog I wrote that discipline was the backbone of the military, it is. Incoming leadership that apologizes for the actions of the previous leadership does not know the meaning of discipline. Discipline to them is probably more of punishment, and not the act of maintaining personal and professional integrity and control.

I hesitate to say that Leader who chose to belittle and berate their predecessors are not truly leaders, but the military has put their trust in them, and that is what it is. Service members will still follow them, although it makes the job of leading harder for those of us that embrace discipline, esprit de corps, and the values of the military to the highest standard.

In closing, don’t apologize for your predecessors, if they made mistakes they should apologize for themselves, as you should be the one to apologize for your mistakes, take what your are given and drive on.